Land-use evolution and change in five settlements of Northeastern Messenia, Greece: an interdisciplinary approach from prehistory to modern times with the contribution of new technologies

Abstract

Beginning in antiquity and continuing into the present, Messenia is well known for its agricultural goods produced as a result of the fertile soils of the region. This research focuses on an extensive regional study of five settlements of Northeastern Messenia and their surroundings that hosts a mythic and historic past which is linked to the usage and exploitation of land by the different populations. The area of study consists of five contemporary villages (Stenyclaros, Kallirrhoe, Polichne, Konstantinoi, Diavolitsi) which are bordered by natural geographical formations. Inland, a low fertile plain is created which has been fully exploited for agricultural activities by the villages. The theme of this study centers on the changes in land use near the selected settlements that have occurred over a period from prehistory to modern times. The importance of this region was also based on archaeological sources and surveys of the area that connect its history with landmarks of ancient Andania and the Stenyclarian plain. Land exploitation of the area explored through historical sources and local oral history, archaeological data, published geomorphological surveys and land-use models as well as unpublished study material including historical aerial photographs, satellite images and hydrological data. Regarding the 20th and 21st centuries, the use of historical aerial photography and satellite imagery has been combined with the use of GIS program for digitization of data, and compared to Copernicus data in models for more accurate statistical results.